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Carlsbad high school students could graduate with college degrees

By Natalie Grossngross@currentargus.com

Posted:
03/17/2013 08:24:54 AM MDT

In recent years, the combination of online and dual credit courses has allowed high school students to start on college work before ever stepping on their campus of choice. But the Carlsbad school district is looking to take college education in high school a step even further.

It is Director of Secondary Education Kelli Barta's goal to adequately prepare high school students for college and/or a future career. By beginning an early college high school program in Carlsbad, high school freshmen would have the ability to begin taking college courses and graduate with a high school diploma and an associate's degree in four years.

The New Mexico Graduates Now Initiative, which was discussed in both the New Mexico House of Representatives and the Senate this year, will be dividing $500,000 among four to five school districts to start new early college high school programs around the state. Barta has already informed New Mexico Public Education Department Secretary-Designate Hanna Skandera of Carlsbad's interest and is currently putting together an executive board to create the program. Barta will attend an April meeting in Santa Fe for all schools interested in commencing the early college high school program.

With the funding that Barta hopes to secure, students enrolled in the early college high school program will earn their associate's degree without spending a dime.

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It would still fall under free public education.

"Money is a big reason that a lot of our kids don't go to college or don't think they can," Barta said. "It's not going to be based on money but based on interest."

The program at the new school, which will have its own name, building and curriculum, will focus on training students for fields related to engineering and science, such as the oil and gas and potash industries and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad.

The new school would be modeled after Arrowhead Park Early College High School in Las Cruces which has been a great success, according to Principal Jennifer Amis. It has been three years since Arrowhead Park's inception, and Amis said the 329 students enrolled seem to be enjoying it.

Eight-five percent of the junior class is on track to receive their associate's degree along with their diploma next year, Amis said. Ten of them will graduate with enough credits to be considered college seniors.

Arrowhead Park is a STEM school, or one that teaches science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The school has actively recruited students who would be the first person in their family ever to receive a college degree, Amis said, and Dona Ana County will soon be adding another similar school to focus on healthcare.

"That's exciting for our community," said Amis, and Barta hopes it will be the same for Carlsbad.

"We're excited and hope that it could be a possibility for Carlsbad students and that our students can reap the benefit of a unique program like this," Barta said. "We want our community to be aware and involved and hopefully supportive in this initiative for us. It's a good opportunity for our students and also a great opportunity for our community because we will be ensuring that we create employable community members who will stay in Carlsbad and give back to the community or go on to college," she said.

Barta said she has been in contact with New Mexico State University Carlsbad President John Gratton about partnering with the college, and said that he said he will do whatever he can to help.

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